Walking up to Stanage Pole once again, I noticed butterflies flitting around by the side of the moorland path and managed to catch this good example of a peacock butterfly. To me those markings on the lower wings always look .like eyes. I have no idea if this is what Nature intended as this common butterfly evolved but some say it was all about scaring off would-be predators.
A pole has stood by The Long Causeway at Stanage for several centuries. About ten years ago, a new pole was installed on the rocks with the newly made iron holder pictured below. Is shows that the pole does not only mark the modern boundary between Yorkshire and Derbyshire but it once marked the boundary between the ancient kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria
Mercia and Northumbria were just two of the old kingdoms that preceded the formation of a land that we now call England. Below, Stanage Pole as it is today rising up from the iron base. It is considerably shorter than it was when I first saw it in 1979...
Regular visitors to this blog may recall being taken up to Stanage Pole in previous blogposts but certainly not for a while. Looking to the north west from the pole you see Stanedge Lodge - the loneliest and highest residential building in Sheffield. It has been up for sale for a while now...
And looking in a more westerly direction, a neglected drystone wall rolls across the moor to Stanage Edge...
Three miles from your doorstep ?
ReplyDeleteThat's standout, mate.
Sorry I couldnae resist saying it. Some Taskerian demon got into me.
"As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods;
DeleteThey kill us for their sport."
Arthur Koestler said the 6th Century B.C.E. was the turning point
Deletefor man. I'm reading Kitty Ferguson's biography of Pythagoras.
I can see thyself and Pythagoras talking th'gither on Stanage Edge.
Wonderful photographs !
We use brass rods inset into the ground to mark boundaries. Much easier on the back looking down than to the top of a long pole.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very attractive butterfly and I've heard that eye theory myself.
ReplyDeleteIt is pleasing that the pole still exists.
Awesome butterfly. A stare from this guy would send you packing.
ReplyDeleteStanage is a special place, and I like it no matter how many times you show us photos from there. It never looks quite the same, does it.
ReplyDeleteGood to know your walk has not caused any additional back pain. Same as you, I find walking helps to loosen up and sort of re-settle my spine and muscles when I feel back and shoulder pain coming up from too many hours spent at desks and staring at computer screens.
That is an exceptionally good photo of a Peacock butterfly YP.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos as usual.
Amazing photos YP. Drystone walls are so beautiful along with flutter flies.
ReplyDeleteI like the pole being properly supported like that. A walk is often helpful with sore backs, it gets the muscles moving gently but moving enough to improve blood flow which is always good.
ReplyDeleteBring back the Kingdom of Northumbria. You could be King Neil I.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty place, so many things to see.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got our and about some. And what a great photo of that butterfly.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. You live in an area of the world with such a long, recorded history. It's so interesting.
ReplyDeleteGreat pic of the peacock! Glad you got out for a walk and your back didn't protest too much.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photo of the butterfly. They're always so busy fluttering about, I struggle to get photos. Moths are much more cooperative. I've always been taught that "eye" markings are exactly for that purpose.
ReplyDelete